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There are many pieces of research that have used animals within psychology - AQA - A-Level Psychology - Question 12 - 2017 - Paper 1
Question 12
There are many pieces of research that have used animals within psychology. Explain the practical issues of using animals in psychological research.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:There are many pieces of research that have used animals within psychology - AQA - A-Level Psychology - Question 12 - 2017 - Paper 1
Step 1
Practical Issues of Using Animals in Psychological Research
Answer
Using animals in psychological research presents several practical issues that researchers must consider:
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Ethical Considerations: One of the biggest concerns is the ethical implications of using animals in research. This includes ensuring the humane treatment of animals and considering whether the potential benefits of the research justify any harm or distress to the animals involved.
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Generalizability of Results: Research findings obtained from animals may not always be directly applicable to humans. Differences in physiology and behavior may limit the extent to which animal research can be generalized to human psychology.
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Cost and Maintenance: Keeping animals for research can be expensive. Researchers must consider the costs of housing, feeding, and providing care for the animals, which can limit the scope and scale of their studies.
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Regulatory Compliance: There are numerous laws and regulations governing the use of animals in research. Researchers must navigate these regulations, which can be time-consuming and require additional resources to ensure compliance.